:D Increase Somalian recruitment consultants in Newham Job centre’s, workplace and other frontline government recruitment agencies. Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions Somalian's in newham make much more than 10 percent of the local population, either Diversity management , Equal opportunity and democracy is not practiced here or there is a Glass ceiling which stops somalian people becoming recruitment consultants/advisors/ managers. Diversity means Local government agencies suppose to mirror the local population. Thus I would like to see more somalian recruitment advisors at the job centre’s, at work place and in other local government recruitment agencies. At the moment the service provided to the local community job seeker excludes somalian workers , well it looks that way? I feel intimidated, under represented and unwelcomed at these mainstream DWP offices in Newham. LET THE RECRUITMENT SERVICE REPRESENT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Equal opportunity to gain employment for somalians at DWP offices in Newham Equal representation for somalians at the government recruitment agencies in Newham. Number of signatures: 7 Created by: hassan abokor Closing: 14/10/2012

here are some of them: SOMALILAND RECOGNITION - IT IS TIME Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Somaliland was called somaliland british protectorate before 1960 and was part of the british empire. Its our interest to recognise Somaliland. Somaliland recognition will alleviate most of the problems in the Horn of Africa, be it the piracy, terrorism, poverty and regional conflicts. Therefore our Government should recognise Somaliland. Support UN Membership of Somaliland Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office I am Supporting to be a membership UN of Somaliland Number of signatures: 1 Created by: Ahmed Hersi :D Recognise Somaliland's independence Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Somaliland has been a well functioning and successful autonomous state to Somalia with little fighting and tribal warfare. However for over 20 years it has failed to receive any of the recognition it deserves from the international community. As a former British colony, the UK should be the first country to recognise and back the country's independence. Number of signatures: 1 Created by: Deyka Hassan Put Somliland on the map Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office "Put Somaliland On the map" Petition To sign to the Government of Britain in support for the Recognition of Somaliland Number of signatures: 1 Created by: Hayat Ibrahim

Here is one in response to Norf's Ban the Khat. Keep Khat Legal Responsible department: Home Office This Petition is Against the petition of banning khat, it is popular in mainly east african countries but does not affect the human body to a state where he can not think straight, it is mainly a stimulant that helps the mind either focus and relax, or feel less tired for a few hours depending on how much khat you chew, it is a leaf that is a tradition for mainly the Yemeni and Somali community It comes from a leafy green plant of the same name. khat is used for when a student needs to concentrate and sit in the same place and revise for a few hours, it is also used by people as a drug that can make you relax when with other friends/ family.

Here are some more of the loony ones been accepted so far: Diplomatically recognise the fledgling Somali breakaway states of Somaliland and Puntland Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office It is becoming increasingly clear that the Somalian state has failed. This petition requests, therefore, that the British Government extend diplomatic recognition to Somaliland and Puntland, as well as encourage a conference to settle land disputes between the two countries. Number of signatures: 8 Created by: Tom Rudd Closing: 12/08/2012 I like this one: Punish looters by sending them to work in Somalia Responsible department: Ministry of Justice Since all the Looters interviewed so far feel that they are disadvantaged, send them to do 6 months "Community Service" in Disaster Areas. They will be away from peer pressure, the Internet and civilisation. No doubt they will sulk to start with, but since they will have to work to eat they will soon realise what "disadvantaged" really means. It should make them into better human beings. Number of signatures: 7 Created by: Deidre Hine Closing: 16/08/2012

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/search?q=somali&state=open Opened - 15 Rejected - 12 Here are some extracts from these petitions: [ B]Pump water to Somalia [/b] Responsible department: Department for International Development We have the ability to transport oil and gas from almost anywhere in the world to service our economy and yet there are people in this world who are starving because of a lack of water, one of the world's most abundant resources. This petition proposes that the government invests some of the UKs massive wealth and finances the worlds first major cross continental water pipeline from a wet region of the UK to a drought stricken region of Africa such as Somalia. Number of signatures: 22 Created by: Gareth Brown Closing: 05/08/2012 Support UN Membership of Somaliland Republic Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office The Republic of Somaliland has been an oasis of peace and stability in a troubled Horn of Africa Region for the past 20 years. It has established itself as a democratic and peaceful nation where the rule of law is respected. The African Union has refused to support Somaliland and time and again ignored its presence and rightful existence. The UK and the US have shown a great deal of sympathy and called for the African Union to consider Somaliland's case and possible membership to the club. However, the African Union's inaction is a worrying concern and a testimony to its denial of the facts on the ground. The UK and its allies should take action just like they did in Libya after when the African Union neglected its responsibility. It is, therefore, high time for the UK to show a leadership and bypass the African Union by taking the Somaliland case to the United Nations demanding a full review for the membership and recognition of Somaliland Republic. Number of signatures: 102 Created by: Abdoulkader Bileh Closing: 15/08/2012

And co-signed it. Put your money where your mouth is people.

worried? War I am having sleepless nights over it - it is beyond worried - adiguna xaasidnimo daraadeed waad ba ku faraxsan tahay - that there is no recognition. At least my bird is alive - where as yours is a painting!

No Recognition!

Garnaqsi;765757 wrote: One of my favourite thinkers. May he rest in peace. "If hell has Christopher in it, then I’d like to reserve my place there now. " - Stephen Fry. Prometheus;765792 wrote: ^ Amiin, adeer. No matter. It has been said, rather aphoristically, "in heaven, all the interesting people are missing". Dadyowga caqliga ka curyaamay midh baan odhan, oo waa halkii Cantara bin Shaddad ee: wa Jahannamu bil Hitchens, atyabu manzili :D I think these lot do not know the meaning of 'hell' and therefore perhaps they think it is an after life social club - where one palls around with friends and crack jokes about the boring lot at the 'heaven' club. Perhaps definition of the word 'Hell' is order: 1. A place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often traditionally depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death 2. A state or place of great suffering; an unbearable experience Ladies and gentlemen -that in effect means - there would be no time for small chitchat let alone joining and enjoying the company of great 'entertainers/intellectuals' - as you lot hinted/assumed - rather the dwellers of hell will be preoccupied more with weightier things like "perpetual suffering and an unbearable experiences" So the question is - do you still want to go to Hell (being mindful of its meaning) or would you rather be somewhere else?

Do you agree with the following poetic verse?: "Muslinimo nimaan kugu dhaqayn, muminimo khaas ah Gaal maxasta kuu nabadgashood, magansataa dhaama" In your answers - can you relate the verse to the current dilemma faced Somalis both at home and in the diaspora?

"Walaalkaan mushaawaro lahayn, maqanahaa dhaama" Maxay isku dhaaman labaduba waa waxma tarayaale?

Tix yaro 'thought provoking' ah - wondering whether SOL's gallery agree with or not. Here it is; "Murwo hadal xun, maangaab ninkeed maqasha, baa dhaanta" Aniga waxay ila tahay in ay labaduba yihiin: 'Isma dhaanto iyo dhasheed'. - What do you guys think?

^Marka way kaa oohiyin uun? As for your next statement - that is not just something that is unique to Somalis - otherwise there would be no laws against 'conflict of interest'. As for the issue - I am in agreement with your sentiments - the only difference is I am willing to offer a counter solution rather than just arguing against the ban. So saxiib offer them something they can think about that might persuade them to look at alternatives to total ban. For example, I would suggest, that the Khat trade is regulated properly, starting with licence for traders/marfishes and reducing the imports to once a week and perhaps further reducing to twice a month thing etc etc. What do you think?

^^Are you capable of weeping? - given your previous statements on not being emotional like NORF whom you accused of wearing his heart on his sleeve.

More.... THE KHAT MARKET • There are at least 20 marfeshes (or khathouses) operating in the borough, with particular clusters around Streatham and Stockwell. Marfeshes are a dynamic business and one may close down only to reopen at a different venue. • Khat use has a significant economic impact on users and their families. Approximately 50% of respondents were unemployed, with a further 23% as students. The average amount spent by each user was the equivalent of £780 per year. One implication of this is that any harm reduction strategy must incorporate diversionary activities and job-finding support.

Continuing... HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND TREATMENT • Respondents reported a wide range of health impacts from khat use, including sleep disorders, paranoia, constipation, and loss of appetite. Although levels of direct reporting of sexual and mental health issues was low, a number of physical health effects reported can also be considered as symptoms of mental ill-health. This is likely to be, in part at least, a result of how mental ill-health is conceptualised in Somali culture. Stigmas around mental ill-health also mean that somatization of mental health issues can be a problem for treatment providers. • Most Somali clients in mental health services in Lambeth use khat to one degree or another. There is evidence that dual diagnosis is a recurrent issue for these patients and also for the many users who do not access mental health support. Mental health services are usually only accessed at times of acute crisis, making treatment more difficult. • Aside from the still embryonic service delivery strand of the Lambeth Khat Project, there are no treatment services to assist problematic usersin addressing their Khat habit in the borough. Entrenched suspicion of services, the fear of the stigma associated with the term ‘drug’, and a general reluctance to accept that there is a problem are all obstacles to accessing help. Some community members seem to actively distrust Western medical/clinical approaches, especially in areas like mental ill-health.

From my own research: PATTERNS OF KHAT USE • The research sample demonstrated very high levels of regular khat use (77%) amongst Somali men and women of all ages that are not dissimilar to those found in similar London boroughs such as Brent or Haringey. The findings suggest that the Somali community in Lambeth is significantly larger than previously thought. It is likely that the Somali population in the borough is at least as high as 3000+, of whom at least 1000 are regular khat-users. • Although problematic khat use has a significant number of negative impacts on the physical and mental health of users, it is a mistake to attribute the multiple deprivations and barriers to accessing services to khat use alone. In onesense, khat can be seen as a nexus for a broad range of social exclusions that prevent both individuals and the community more broadly from making the most of their lives. • From the data collected, it is clear Somali women are using khat at similar levels to their men-folk. Women in particular are very suspicious of accessing mainstream services around khat use, in part because of the taboo surrounding female khat use, but more substantially due to a perception that many mainstream services are not as appropriate or accessible as they might be.

^^^:D Aniga hay salaamin! Ahlan Dumaashi, Habaryaro Malika, iyo Ani adeerkay Xaji Waqooyi

Ngonge -Here is an actual research that I have been involved in - You might actually like it

Home Office's Last Research - "Khat: Social harms and legislation" July 2011 Key findings 1. The review found a general lack of robust evidence on the link between khat use and social harms. 2. Reported social harms associated with khat remain a concern among the UK’s immigrant Somali community, yet beyond often contradictory anecdotal statements, this review found no evidence to show a causal relationship between khat and the various social harms for which its consumption is supposedly responsible. 3. Inferences about khat’s social harms have largely been drawn from the experience of the Somali population, as less research has been undertaken on other communities who are also consumers of khat. 4. As well as khat, many other variables might contribute to the social problems confronting the relevant communities, i.e. the effects of civil war, displacement, gender relations, and problems of integration. These need to be more fully considered in any further research. 5. Legislating against khat in Europe and North America has had little success in curbing demand and has taken place with little consideration of evidence. In those countries where the greatest evidence on khat use has been compiled (the UK, the Netherlands and Australia), import and consumption are still permitted, albeit under the control of a permit system in the case of Australia. READ MORE IN HERE

Saxiib, recognise me as the resident google of gabay in SOL and stop calling me tuug before I dismantle you in front of the gallery leaving you torun like damsel in distress. As for your threats - don't make me laugh saxiib - all of your noble ancestors have nothing on my awoowe; the man who took on the world (including all Somalis) and won. p.s. Whilst you may be able to use google for things you know - I bet you won't be able to use it in search of gabay - you'll probably come back with a song by hadraawi and just by name asssociation think that is is a gabay. p.s.s - you have to know what you are searching before google can help you

Baashi;764558 wrote: Represent and keep ya head up people Kismayo...Alla saan ugu jeelanahay Baashi boqor dhalay oo meel aan Qardho ahayn u jeelanaaya weligay ma arag Ana Sayid Somal and I approve of this song - notwithstanding the city of my seat not been mentioned.

^^ :D

Before he shouts out 'Tuug' again - here is the background to the poem, the above verse is drawn from; Niman ayaa durqun ka dayn waayey Sayidka iyo xaruntiisii. Af iyo adinba gardarro joogto ah iyo daandaansi aan dhammaanayn ayey Daraawiishi nimankaa kala kulantay. Dhawr jeer oo kale duwan ayaa Sayidka looga soo dacwooday daano ay geesteen. Sayidku isagoo u digaya sheegayana mar haddii uu gacanta u qaado waxa ku dhici doona ayuu gabaygan hoose mariyey. Sidii gabayada Sayid Maxamed ay caanka ku ahaayeen, xikmad dhinac walba oo nolosha insaanka taabanaysa ayuu ku reebay gabaygan, aakhirkiina digniin kama dambays ah ayuu Ararsame u diray You can read the rest of the gabay here